Scoliosis, structural: A fixed lateral (sideway) curve of the spine.
Structural scoliosis often occurs from unknown factors without reference to other physical problems (idiopathic scoliosis). It tends to affect girls during adolescence.
Structural scoliosis can also be part of a syndrome or disease. Examples of conditions that can result in structural scoliosis are: Marfan syndrome (an inherited connective tissue disorder); other connective tissue disorders; neuromuscular diseases (such as cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, or muscular dystrophy); birth defects (such as hemivertebra, in which one side of a vertebra fails to form normally before birth); injury; certain infections of the spine; tumors (such as those caused by neurofibromatosis, an hereditary disease associated with benign tumors on the spinal column); metabolic (biochemical) diseases; or some arthritic diseases.
Structural scoliosis is different than nonstructural (functional) scoliosis in which the spine appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis) but it is structurally normal.
Structural scoliosis: A fixed lateral (sideway) curve of the spine. Structural scoliosis often occurs from unknown factors without reference to other physical problems ...
There are two basic types of scoliosis, structural and functional. In the structural scoliosis the mechanics of the curve are such that rotation of the vertebrae occurs ...
In about 80% of cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. It develops mostly in children and teens and appears to be ...
Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, April/May 2003. Copyright 2003. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Functional (Non-structural) scoliosis only affects the muscular back and does not alter the body structurally. It can result from such things as poor ...